Bettie M. Boorda - STOUT's Sponsor

Bettie Boorda
Tingey House, Qtrs. "A"
Washington Navy Yard
Washington, D.C. 20374

August 1994

Commander C. E. Garrett, Jr., U.S. Navy
Prospective Commanding Officer
STOUT (DDG 55)

Dear Captain Garrett,

I want to tell you and the wonderful crew of our ship STOUT how proud I am of you all and to offer my congratulations as you commission her and set sail on what will be a great adventure. May you have a full measure of satisfaction as you take a great ship to sea in the service of our Navy and Nation.

Rear Admiral Stout was a special naval officer who served in both peace and war. He was a leader who cared for his crew and knew that they were the heart and soul of his ship. May every man and woman who sails in STOUT live up to his high standards and may each and every one of them experience all the joy and satisfaction that comes from being with shipmates in a top notch ship of the line.

You and our ship will always be in my prayers and in my heart.

Your proud sponsor,

Signed

BETTIE M. BOORDA

From STOUT's Commissioning Book from August 1994.

    Bettie Boorda, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Moran, was born in Comanche, Oklahoma. In the early 1950's the family moved to Norman, Oklahoma so that Bettie and her two sisters could attend the University of Oklahoma (OU). Graduating from Norman High School in the mid-1950's, Bettie entered OU.

    Mrs. Boorda married Admiral J. M. Boorda during the early years of his career while he was serving as an enlisted man. As they raised a family of four children, three boys Edward, Robert and David, and one daughter, Anna, the Admiral's career advanced and Mrs. Boorda shepherded the family through the many moves associated with a Navy life. The family lived in San Diego, California; Newport, Rhode Island; Charleston, South Carolina; Norman, Oklahoma; Norfolk, Virginia; Great Lakes, Illinois; Washington, D.C., and Naples, Italy. During the ensuing thirty-plus years the family moved more than twenty times between these cities.

    All of Mrs. Boorda's children attended college with Robert, now a Navy lawyer; Edward, a surface warfare Commander; and Anna all graduating from the University of Oklahoma. The eldest son, David was born with significant physical handicaps which sparked Mrs. Boorda to service in support of education for youngsters so afflicted. Serving on the Board of Visitors for special schools, Mrs. Boorda has been a frequent witness before State Legislatures and a strong advocate for quality education.

    Today, Mrs. Boorda and the Admiral have nine grandchildren. Admiral Boorda is presently Chief of Naval Operations. The Boorda's live in Washington, DC.